Q I heard that if you have diverticula, you absolutely cannot eat seeds or nuts. Is this true?
A The latest guidelines do not recommend blanket prohibition of seeds and nuts because evidence that they cause diverticulitis is insufficient. On the contrary, fiber-rich nuts may be beneficial for intestinal health; adjust based on individual responses.
Detailed Answer
There was previously a theory that seeds, popcorn, and nuts could become lodged in diverticula and cause inflammation, but large-scale studies have found insufficient evidence to support this. Rather, what should be avoided is red processed meat, high-fat foods, and refined carbohydrates that reduce fiber and worsen the intestinal environment. However, if specific foods repeatedly cause abdominal pain, avoiding those foods individually is reasonable.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, cold foods, spicy and irritating foods, and greasy foods are seen as interfering with colon qi. Reducing such foods and recommending warm and soft foods is the basic dietary principle.
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